Tag Archives: kindle for Pc

Not sure you want a dedicated e-reader? Can’t wait for the Asus E-reader? Want more options in your e-book selection? Like to tinker with computers and install your own software? Well, there may be a way to do all these things and more!

Amazon, proving they’re in the e-book reader game more for the books that the hardware, has released the beta version of software Kindle for PC. Reviews have been mixed about it’s usefulness, and granted, it is still in beta, so there may be more changes in store for it. But, for now, it allows you to sync with your kindle, view your kindle library (only the books you’ve bought though), and buy and read e-books from the Kindle store.

So, what’s the big deal? The whole point of the Kindle and other e-readers is to NOT be tied to a computer. It’s to be light and portable. But the Kindle device is very limited beyond reading the books they offer. What if I want to surf the web, read RSS feeds and blogs for free, and have access to more than just what Amazon offers? That’s where this article comes in! Make your own E-reader. You’re not really building anything, as it uses a PC tablet, a device that never really caught on as a PC, but as a portable web and e-book reader? Yeah, I could go for that. PC Tablets are plentiful on places like eBay, and there is a lot of open source software now that allows for reading practically any type of e-book format. And with the addition of the Amazon Kindle for PC software, another door has been opened. Tablets are lighter and easier to carry than a netbook, and have touch screens. The screens are color too, so comics will look just as good as black and white manga. It’s like they were made to be e-readers!

It’s hard to believe that just 2 years ago, the e-reader was a novelty, something only hard core techies would be interested in. Now, the field is wide open with so many options, and more being announced every day. While I don’t see e-readers as being the savior of newspapers or magazines, they certainly can’t hurt. Especially as e-readers (and other similar devices) get more widespead acceptance. And my shelf space would be grateful for the break. All we need now are more publishers to make their books available digitally, so we can fill SD cards and hard drives with books just we do with music and movies.